Incorrect information about future Marshall Plan town hall meetings appeared in the print and initial online versions of this story. The error has been corrected online.

STOCKTON - Stockton needs more police officers and, even if the still-developing Marshall Plan existed, it would take at least two more years to add an additional 100 officers to the force.

"We are currently one of the most understaffed jurisdictions in the nation - No. 1 if you factor in crime rates," Police Chief Eric Jones said.

He addressed a crowd of about three dozen people gathered Wednesday evening at the Stribley Community Center for the second of six town hall meetings designed to explain City Hall's crime-fighting Marshall Plan.

Jones later said the city already has adopted an aggressive retention and recruitment program because of department turnover. The Stockton Police Department is authorized to have 344 officers but has struggled to reach that number because of departures and retirements. "It is getting better," Jones said.

He said adding more officers is a priority for his administration.

Jones spoke at the District 5 town hall hosted by Councilwoman Dyane Burgos.

In late June or early July, a finalized Marshall Plan, based on town hall input, is expected to go before the City Council. A funding mechanism could go before voters in fall.

Even with his depleted resources, Jones was credited by several in the crowd with reducing crime in recent months. "This is the best chief we've had in 20 years," said Ralph White, a former council member.

Daniel Hernandez, 68 and retired, moved to Stockton 13 years ago from Merced. "You and the Police Department are doing a good job," he said. "I'm not afraid to walk down the block anymore."

The town hall meeting was built around two themes: city finances and crime. A year ago, City Hall conducted a similar series of town hall meetings leading up to Stockton's filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection.

"We will take your feedback back to City Hall," Burgos said, encouraging residents Wednesday night to make suggestions or fill out an available questionnaire.

She and Jones explained the purpose of the plan to reduce violence in Stockton and to "stop, interrupt and prevent" homicides. Burgos said 80 percent of the city's crime is attributed to 1 percent of the population of 300,000.

She introduced Jones as the "king of doing more with less."

Jones said one aspect of the Marshall Plan is already under way: employment of the gun-violence intervention strategy of Operation Ceasefire.

"We're trying to bring the message to the 'most influentials' to put down the guns," Jones said. "If they don't, we're letting them know that we will bring the full force of law enforcement."

Jones said the carrot-and-stick approach works.

"Ceasefire is absolutely the best program in the nation," he said.

Jones also said it was important for residents to understand that it is a myth to think a lot of new officers can be added overnight. "It will take years," he said, adding that 200 officers are needed as well as a replenished civilian work force.